February 26, 1990 Cornelius E. Gunter, rhythm and blues singer, died. Gunter was born November 14, 1936 in Coffeyville, Kansas. He began recording in 1953 singing backup on Big Jay McNeelly’s “Nervous Man Nervous.” In 1957, he sang the title song for the movie “The Green Eyed Blonde.” From 1958 to 1961, Gunter performed as […]

He began recording in 1953 singing backup on Big Jay McNeelly’s “Nervous Man Nervous.” In 1957, he sang the title song for the movie “The Green Eyed Blonde.” From 1958 to 1961, Gunter performed as a member of The Coasters and they recorded “Yakety Yak” (1958), their only number one hit, “Charlie Brown” (1959), and “Poison Ivy” (1959). After leaving The Coasters, Gunter recorded several solo singles. In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other members of The Coasters.

February 20, 1936 John Hope, educator and political activist, died. Hope was born June 2, 1868 in Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1890 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1894. In 1898, Hope became professor of classics at Atlanta Baptist College (now Morehouse College) and in 1906 […]

]]>February 20, 1936 John Hope, educator and political activist, died.

Hope was born June 2, 1868 in Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1890 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1894.

In 1898, Hope became professor of classics at Atlanta Baptist College (now Morehouse College) and in 1906 he was appointed the institution’s first black president. Hope also joined W.E.B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter as founders of the Niagara Movement. In 1928, Morehouse and Spelman College affiliated with Atlanta University and in 1929 Hope was chosen to be president, a position he held until his death.

February 19, 1972 Edward Lee Morgan, jazz trumpeter, was murdered. Morgan was born July 10, 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Morgan received his first trumpet at the age of 13 and at 18 joined Dizzy Gillespie’s big band where he was a member for 18 months. In 1958, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and was […]

Morgan was born July 10, 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Morgan received his first trumpet at the age of 13 and at 18 joined Dizzy Gillespie’s big band where he was a member for 18 months.

In 1958, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and was featured on a number of their albums. As a leader, Morgan recorded 30 albums, including “The Sidewinder” (1963), his most commercially successful album, “Cornbread” (1965), and “The Last Session” (1971). In the last two years of his life, he became more politically involved, becoming one of the leaders of the Jazz and People’s Movement which protested the lack of jazz artists as guest performers and members of the bands of television shows.

February 15, 1960 Darrell Ray Green, hall of fame football player, was born in Houston, Texas. Green played college football at Texas A&M University where he was a first team All-American and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1983. Green was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Washington […]

]]>February 15, 1960 Darrell Ray Green, hall of fame football player, was born in Houston, Texas.

Green played college football at Texas A&M University where he was a first team All-American and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1983.

Green was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins and over his 20 season professional career was a four-time All-Pro selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. In 1996, he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his volunteer and charity work and in 1997 he won the Bart Starr Award for outstanding character and leadership on the field and in the community.

In 1988, Green founded the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, a faith-based organization with the mission to “meet the needs of children, their families and the communities in which they live.” Green retired in 2002, was selected to serve as the chairman of President George W. Bush’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2008 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A section of State Route 28 in Loudoun County, Virginia is named Darrell Green Boulevard.

February 13, 1882 Henry Highland Garnet, orator and abolitionist, died. Garnet was born enslaved on December 23, 1815 in New Market, Maryland. In 1824, Garnet’s family escaped to freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They subsequently moved to New York City where from 1826 to 1833 Garnet attended the African Free School and the Phoenix High School […]

Garnet was born enslaved on December 23, 1815 in New Market, Maryland. In 1824, Garnet’s family escaped to freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They subsequently moved to New York City where from 1826 to 1833 Garnet attended the African Free School and the Phoenix High School for Colored Youth.

Garnet went on to graduate with honors in 1839 from the Oneida Theological Institute of Whitesboro. He later joined the American Anti-Slavery Society and frequently spoke at abolitionist conferences. He delivered one of his most famous speeches, “Call to Rebellion,” in August, 1843 to the National Negro Convention. In that speech, he called for the enslaved to act for themselves to achieve total emancipation.

By 1849, Garnet began to support emigration of blacks to Mexico, Liberia, or the West Indies and he founded the African Civilization Society. On February 12, 1865, he became the first black minister to preach to the United States House of Representatives when he spoke about the end of slavery. After the Civil War, Garnet was appointed president of Avery College in 1868 and in 1881 he was appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia.

February 4, 2001 James Louis “J. J.” Johnson, jazz trombonist, composer and arranger, died. Johnson was born January 22, 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of nine, he started studying the piano, but decided to play the trombone at the age of 14. In 1941, Johnson started his professional career. He played in Benny […]

Johnson was born January 22, 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of nine, he started studying the piano, but decided to play the trombone at the age of 14. In 1941, Johnson started his professional career.

He played in Benny Carter’s orchestra from 1942 to 1945, recording his first solo in 1943. In 1945, he joined the Count Basie Band, touring and recording with him until 1946. In 1947, Johnson began recording as the leader of small groups and in 1954 he joined with Kai Winding to set up the Jay and Kai Quintet which was musically and commercially successful. Starting in the early 1960s, Johnson dedicated more time to composing, writing a number of large scale works which incorporated elements of both classical and jazz music.

February 28, 1967 Matthew Leonard, Medal of Honor recipient, died in action. Leonard was born November 26, 1929 in Eutaw, Alabama and served in the United States Army during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. On this date, Leonard was serving as a platoon sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division near […]

Leonard was born November 26, 1929 in Eutaw, Alabama and served in the United States Army during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

On this date, Leonard was serving as a platoon sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division near Suoi Da, South Vietnam when his platoon came under attack. Leonard’s citation partially reads, “Although the platoon leader and several other key leaders were among the first wounded, P/Sgt. Leonard quickly rallied his men to throw back the initial enemy assaults.

During the short pause that followed, he organized a defensive perimeter, redistributed ammunition, and inspired his comrades through his forceful leadership and words of encouragement. Noticing a wounded companion outside of the perimeter, he dragged the man to safety but was struck by a sniper’s bullet which shattered his left hand. Refusing medical attention and continuously exposing himself to the increasing fire as the enemy again assaulted the perimeter, P/Sgt. Leonard moved from position to position to direct the fire of his men against the well camouflaged foe. Under the cover of the main attack, the enemy moved a machine gun into a location where it could sweep the entire perimeter.

P/Sgt. Leonard rose to his feet, charged the enemy gun and destroyed the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire. He moved to a tree, propped himself against it, and continued to engage the enemy until he succumbed to his many wounds. His fighting spirit, heroic leadership, and valiant acts inspired the remaining members of his platoon to hold back the enemy until assistance arrived.” President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the medal, America’s highest military decoration, to his family on December 19, 1968.

February 27, 1911 Ed Davis, the first African American to win a franchise to sell new cars, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a teenager, Davis moved to Detroit, Michigan to attend integrated public schools. His first job was at a car repair garage where the owner instructed him to look busy doing janitorial work […]

]]>February 27, 1911 Ed Davis, the first African American to win a franchise to sell new cars, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.

As a teenager, Davis moved to Detroit, Michigan to attend integrated public schools.

His first job was at a car repair garage where the owner instructed him to look busy doing janitorial work when customers were in the garage and not appear to be working on any cars. In 1936, he began selling cars for a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership that was interested in attracting African American customers. In 1939, Davis opened Davis Motor Sales, a used car dealership. Davis was so successful that in 1940 he was offered a Studebaker new car dealership which he operated until 1956 when Studebaker went out of business.

In 1963, Davis opened Davis Chrysler-Plymouth, the first African American to be awarded a new car franchise from one of the “Big Three” automakers. Davis operated the dealership until 1971 and in 1966 was named Michigan’s Small Businessman of the Year. After closing the dealership, Davis spent the next 20 years as a consultant to minority dealers and other African American business owners. Davis published his autobiography, “One Man’s Way,” in 1979. He became the first African American to be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1999 and died May 3, 1999.

February 26, 1933 Godfrey MacArthur Cambridge, comedian and stage and film actor, was born in New York City. Cambridge won a four-year scholarship to study medicine, but instead decided to become an actor, leaving college in his third year. He made his Broadway debut in “Nature’s Way” (1951) and later appeared in “The Blacks” (1961), […]

]]>February 26, 1933 Godfrey MacArthur Cambridge, comedian and stage and film actor, was born in New York City.

Cambridge won a four-year scholarship to study medicine, but instead decided to become an actor, leaving college in his third year.

He made his Broadway debut in “Nature’s Way” (1951) and later appeared in “The Blacks” (1961), a performance that earned him the Obie Award for Best Supporting or Featured Dramatic Actor. In 1962, his performance in “Purlie Victorious” earned him the Tony Award nomination for Distinguished Performance Actor.

In 1967, he appeared on screen in “The President’s Analyst” and in 1970 in “Watermelon Man” and “Cotton Comes to Harlem.” Cambridge also appeared on numerous television shows as a stand-up comedian. Cambridge died on November 29, 1976 while on the set of the movie “Victory at Entebbe.”

February 25, 1968 Oumou Sangare, the “songbird of Wassoulou,” was born in Bamako, Mali. Sangare was recognized as a gifted singer at the age of five and at 16 she was touring. In 1991, she recorded her first album, Moussolou” which sold more than 200,000 copies in Africa. Other albums include “Oumou” (2004) and “Seya” […]

]]>February 25, 1968 Oumou Sangare, the “songbird of Wassoulou,” was born in Bamako, Mali.

Sangare was recognized as a gifted singer at the age of five and at 16 she was touring.

In 1991, she recorded her first album, Moussolou” which sold more than 200,000 copies in Africa. Other albums include “Oumou” (2004) and “Seya” (2009). Sangare is considered an ambassador of Wassoulou, a historical region south of the Niger River. She is an advocate for women’s rights, opposing child marriages and polygamy.

In 2001, Sangare won the UNESCO Prize for her contribution to “the enrichment and the development of music as well as for the cause of peace” and in 2003 she was appointed goodwill ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

February 24, 1956 Eddie Clarence Murray, hall of fame baseball player, was born in Los Angeles, California. Murray was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1973 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 1977 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Over his 21 season professional career, Murray was […]

Murray was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1973 amateur draft.

He made his major league debut in 1977 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Over his 21 season professional career, Murray was an eight-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He retired in 1997 with 3,255 hits and 504 home runs and in 2003 was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

After retiring, Murray served as hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. As the result of a significant donation by Murray, the Carrie Murray Nature Center in Baltimore, Maryland is named in honor of his mother.

February 23, 1997 Anthony Tillmon “Tony” Williams, jazz drummer, died. Williams was born December 12, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He began playing professionally at the age of 13 and at 17 joined Miles Davis’ “Second Great Quintet.” Davis called Williams “the center that the group’s sound revolved around.” Williams […]

Williams was born December 12, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Boston, Massachusetts.

He began playing professionally at the age of 13 and at 17 joined Miles Davis’ “Second Great Quintet.” Davis called Williams “the center that the group’s sound revolved around.” Williams recorded his first album as a leader, “Life Time,” in 1964. Other albums include “Emergency” (1969), “The Joy of Flying” (1979), and “Young at Heart” (1996). Williams was posthumously inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

February 22, 1922 Joe Wilder, jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, was born in Colwyn, Pennsylvania. Wilder studied at the Mastbaum School of Music, but turned to jazz when he felt there was little opportunity for an African American classical musician. At the age of 19, he joined his first touring band. Wilder served in the […]

Wilder studied at the Mastbaum School of Music, but turned to jazz when he felt there was little opportunity for an African American classical musician.

At the age of 19, he joined his first touring band. Wilder served in the United States Marines during World War II, eventually becoming assistant bandmaster of the headquarters’ band. After the war, he played in several orchestras, including Jimmie Lunceford, Noble Sissle, Dizzy Gillespie, and Count Basie. Wilder earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1953 from the Manhattan School of Music.

From 1957 to 1974, he did studio work for ABC television and performed in the pit orchestras for Broadway musicals. Wilder recorded seven albums as bandleader, including “Wilder N’ Wilder” (1956), “Jazz from Peter Gunn” (1959), and “Among Friends” (2003). In 2008, Wilder was designated a NEA Jazz Master, the highest honor the United States bestows on a jazz musician, by the National Endowment for the Arts.

February 21, 1940 John Robert Lewis, civil rights leader and politician, was born in Troy, Alabama. Lewis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from the American Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961 and another Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy from Fisk University in 1963. In 1960, he was a co-founder of […]

]]>February 21, 1940 John Robert Lewis, civil rights leader and politician, was born in Troy, Alabama.

Lewis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from the American Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961 and another Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy from Fisk University in 1963.

In 1960, he was a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and from 1963 to 1966 served as the organizations chairman. He participated in the Freedom Rides to desegregate the South and was beaten bloody by a white mob in Montgomery, Alabama in the spring of 1961. At the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Lewis was the youngest speaker.

In 1981, Lewis was elected to the Atlanta City Council and in 1986 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives where he serves today. Lewis was the 2002 recipient of the NAACP Spingarn Medal. In 2011, Lewis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama. Lewis published his autobiography, “Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement,” in 1999.

February 20, 1913 Thomas Kilgore, one of the few men to lead two major national Baptist organizations, was born in Woodruff, South Carolina. Kilgore earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in 1935 and earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1957. He began his fight for equality in […]

]]>February 20, 1913 Thomas Kilgore, one of the few men to lead two major national Baptist organizations, was born in Woodruff, South Carolina.

Kilgore earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in 1935 and earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1957.

He began his fight for equality in the 1940s, registering voters and organizing tobacco workers in North and South Carolina. He moved to New York City in 1947 and as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church raised bail money for civil rights workers jailed in the South. He also served as founding president of the Heart of Harlem Neighborhood Church Association which was organized in 1957 to fight segregation in New York City.

Kilgore was also an organizer of the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in 1957 and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. In 1963, he moved to Los Angeles and became pastor of Second Baptist Church, the oldest black Baptist church in the city. In 1969, he was elected president of the American Baptist Churches USA, the organizations first black president, and from 1976 to 1978, Kilgore served as president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Kilgore served as an adviser to three presidents of the University of Southern California and his papers are archived at the institution. Kilgore died February 4, 1998. The Morehouse College Campus Center is named in his honor.

February 19, 1890 Isaiah Mays received the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration, for his actions during an engagement with robbers. Mays was born enslaved on February 16, 1858 in Carters Bridge, Virginia. By May 11, 1889, he was serving as a corporal in Company B of the 24th Infantry Regiment. His citation reads, […]

]]>February 19, 1890 Isaiah Mays received the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration, for his actions during an engagement with robbers.

Mays was born enslaved on February 16, 1858 in Carters Bridge, Virginia. By May 11, 1889, he was serving as a corporal in Company B of the 24th Infantry Regiment.

His citation reads, “Gallantry in the fight between Paymaster Wham’s escort and robbers. Mays walked and crawled 2 miles to a ranch for help.” Mays left the army in 1893, and in 1922 applied for a federal pension, but was denied. He died penniless on May 2, 1925 and his grave was marked with only a small stone etched with a number. In 2001, the marker was replaced with an official United States Department of Veterans Affairs headstone. In March, 2009, his remains were disinterred, cremated, and placed in an urn. On May 29, 2009, the urn was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

February 18, 1894 Paul Revere Williams, architect, was born in Los Angeles, California. In high school, a teacher advised Williams against pursuing a career in architecture because he would have difficulty attracting clients in the majority-white community and the black community could not provide enough work. Williams studied at the Los Angeles School of Art […]

In high school, a teacher advised Williams against pursuing a career in architecture because he would have difficulty attracting clients in the majority-white community and the black community could not provide enough work.

Williams studied at the Los Angeles School of Art and Design and at the Los Angeles branch of the New York Beaux-Arts Institute of Design Atelier. In 1921, Williams became the first certified African American architect west of the Mississippi River and in 1922 he opened his own office. Williams was the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects and in 1939 won the AIA Award of Merit for his design of the MCA Building in Los Angeles.

In 1957, he became the first African American to be voted an AIA Fellow. Williams designed more than 2,000 private homes and his client list included Frank Sinatra, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Lon Chaney, Lucille Ball, Tyrone Power, Barbara Stanwyck, and Danny Thomas. In 1953, Williams was awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal and he received honorary doctorate degrees from Howard and Lincoln Universities and Tuskegee Institute. Williams died January 23, 1980. Biographies of Williams include “Paul R. Williams, Architect: A Legacy of Style” (1993) and “The Will and the Way: Paul R. Williams, Architect” (1994).

February 17, 1936 James Nathaniel “Jim” Brown, hall of fame football player and actor, was born in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1957 and also excelled in basketball, track, lacrosse, and football. In his senior year, he was first-team All-American in both football and lacrosse. […]

]]>February 17, 1936 James Nathaniel “Jim” Brown, hall of fame football player and actor, was born in St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1957 and also excelled in basketball, track, lacrosse, and football.

In his senior year, he was first-team All-American in both football and lacrosse. Brown was selected in the 1957 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns and over his nine season professional career was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time NFL Most Valuable Player. When he retired in 1965, he held many professional football records, including most career rushing yards and most career rushing touchdowns. Brown was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1971, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1983, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2002, The Sporting News named Brown “the greatest football player ever.” Brown began his acting career prior to retiring from football, appearing in “Rio Conchos” in 1964. Other films that he appeared in include “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), “100 Rifles” (1969), “Three the Hard Way” (1974), and “On the Edge” (2002). Brown has published two autobiographies “Off My Chest” (1964) and “Out of Bounds” (1989). In 2002, the documentary film “Jim Brown: All-American” was released. Brown currently serves as executive advisor to the Cleveland Browns. He is also active in forming groups to assist black-owned businesses and to rehabilitate gang members.

February 16, 1904 James Baskett, actor and the first male performer of African descent to receive an Oscar, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Baskett appeared on Broadway in the all-black musical revue “Hot Chocolate” in 1929. He also appeared in a number of all-black films, including “Harlem is Heaven” (1932) and “Straight to Heaven” (1939). […]

]]>February 16, 1904 James Baskett, actor and the first male performer of African descent to receive an Oscar, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Baskett appeared on Broadway in the all-black musical revue “Hot Chocolate” in 1929. He also appeared in a number of all-black films, including “Harlem is Heaven” (1932) and “Straight to Heaven” (1939).

From 1944 to 1948, he was part of the cast of the “Amos ‘n’ Andy” radio show. In 1946, he appeared in the lead role of Uncle Remus in “Song of the South,” but was unable to attend the premier in Atlanta, Georgia because of the city’s racial segregation laws. In 1947, Baskett received an honorary Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus for his “able and heartwarming characterization of Uncle Remus, friend and storyteller to the children of the world.” Basket died July 9, 1948.

February 15, 1952 Bill T. Jones, dancer, choreographer and artistic director, was born in Bunnell, Florida. Jones performed and choreographed worldwide before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982. In addition to creating more than 100 works for his own company, Zane has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boston Ballet, […]

Jones performed and choreographed worldwide before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982.

In addition to creating more than 100 works for his own company, Zane has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boston Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet, and Berlin Opera Ballet. He also directed “Dream on Monkey Mountain” in 1994 and co-directed “Perfect Courage” in 1990. In 1994, Jones received a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award and in 2007 he won the Tony Award for Best Choreography for “Spring Awakening.”

Jones is the co-creator, director, and choreographer for the musical “Fela!” which opened on Broadway in 2009 and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography. In 2003, Jones was awarded the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize which is given to “a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life” and in 2007 he was inducted into the National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame.

In 2010, he was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors for the Arts and in 2011 he received the YoungArts Arison Award which is given annually to an individual who has had a significant influence on the development of young American artists. Jones published his autobiography, “Last Night on Earth,” in 1995.